Core catcher construction



SePt- 29, 1931 J. T. PHIPPs I CORE CATCHER CONSTRUCTION Filed slept. 27. 1929 vPatented Sept. 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN PHIPPS, 0F HUNTINGTON PARK, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGIIOR r'.lt H. C. SMITH MAN- 'UFCTURING COMPANY, OF WHITTIER, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION 0F CALI- FORNV'IA CORE CATCHER CONSTRUCTION l IApplication led September 27, 1929. Serial Ne. 395,5?2.

This invention relates to a core bit and appertains especially to a core catcher' unit to retain the core captured in the core barrel. It is the common practice to provide.

and aid in holding the core in the core barrel. In addition to the broader object of this invention, there are certain details of design whereby a simple, economical and compact core catcher unit is obtained and one which is certain in its functioning'.

These objects together with `other objects and corresponding accomplishments are obtained by means of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an elevation of a core bit and barrel partly in section to better show the .core -catcher unit and its relation to the other .elements of the core bit and barrel; Fig. 2 is'a section showing a fra ent of the core bit with my improved catc er unit; and Fig. 3 is a plan view partly in section of the core catcher unit.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 5 indicates a core bit having laterally extending blades and an annular crown cutter. It is provided with a tapered threaded socket at the top to receive a barrel 6 provided with a threaded in 7 for attachment to a drill pipe string. he construction just described is a standard type of core bit and barrel and forms no parts of the present invention. A chamber is formed in the core bit and at its lower end is a tapered seat 8. The upper end of the chamber is` internally threaded to receive a core retainer tube 9. It may bev remarked that the core barrel as shown herein is relatively short and is so shown for compactness of the view. In practice, the barrels are relatively longer to take a relatively long core. The core taken is of considerable weight.

An annular recess is formed between the seat 8 and the bottom of the tube, in which is disposed a core catcher ring 1.0n Depend ing from the ring are spring leaves li which are attached to the sections oi' a contractible gr1pping ring 12. The ring i2 is in the nature of slips commonly used in well work for gripping various articles., This contractible ring has tapered outer wall for ridlng upon the seat 8. However, when the ring is fully contracted so that the junctures of the sections meet, it is externally of' a size such that it will not pass through the mouth of the core bit. Y

The length of the unit formed by the core catcher ring and the gripping ring together Vvwith their associated elements is such that they may have a limited longitudinal movement. The gripping ring is provided with annular corrugations 13 for obtaining a hold upon the core. Attached to the inner wall of the catcher ring are fingers, each linger being shown as comprising two spring leaves 14a and 14?). It will be understood that more leaves may be used ifddesired. The leaves of a linger are secured at their roots to the catcher rin 10 by rivets l5 or any other fastening device found expedient.

The outward flexure pressure of the leaves ll tend to maintain the core catcher unit in the position shown in Fig. 2. The annular recess provides a bearing for the core catcher unit so that it may be rotated with respect to the bit. The core being cut passes upwardly through the gripping ring and between the fingers which engage the side elevated to withdraw the core cut, the tips of the vfingers resist the movement of the core downwardly ou# of the barrel. As shown, there are a plurality of leaves in the fingers to resist downward pressure, and relieve the strain at their roots aiding one another so as to resist breakage. Furthermore, a greater contact area is provided by reason of a plurality of'tips. The core is grasped at points spaced from one another.

4of the core. As the core bit and barrel are The weight of the core acting downwardly will causeY contraction of the gripping ring u 12 and to aid in supporting the core.

What I claimk is l. The combination with a core bit and barrel having a recess in the bore thereof for a core catcher unit and having a tapered seat; of a core catcher longitudinally slid able in said recess; said core catcher unit including a core catcher ring, resilient catcher fingers upstanding from said ring with the tips' free and directed inwardly, said fingers comprising multiple springv leaves with the tip ends of said leaves longitudinally spaced, a contractible gripping" ring depending/from and securedto said core catcher ring and having faces riding on said seat for expansion and contraction of said gripping ring upon longitudinal movement of said unit.

2. The combination with a core bit and barrelhaving a recess in the bore for a core catcher unit; of a core catcher unit including a core catcher ring, multiple spring leafl catcher n ers secured at their bases to said ring and grec at their upper tip ends, the tip ends of the leaf springs being longitudinally spaced and directed inwardly.

3. The combination with a core bit and barrel of a core catcher .mounted in said bore comprising multiple leaf spring fingers secured at their bases and free at their tip ends? the tip ends of the spring leaves being longitudinally spaced and directed inwardly todprovide a* multiplicity of core engaging en s.

In witnesspthat I claim the foregoin I have hereunto subscribed my name this gth day of September, 1929.

JOHN T. PIIIPPS. 

